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CMS
Adds PET Scan Tumor Coverage

The
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cover
positron emission tomography (PET) scans for evaluation
of brain, cervical, ovarian, pancreatic and testicular cancers,
among others. The physician ordering the scan must participate
in a "high quality" clinical study or submit information
to a PET database, CMS says.

Medicare
coverage will become effective when CMS' working group of
oncologists and others finishes putting the PET database
together. CMS wants to be able to ensure physicians are
using the PET data accurately and appropriately in patient
management.